Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept – Car Body Design
The Grand Wagoneer Concept marks the rebirth of the classic American model which was originally launched in 1962, and was the first four-wheel-drive vehicle mated to an automatic transmission, pioneering the first modern SUV.
The 1984 Grand Wagoneer marked the beginning of the premium SUV, offering a range of luxury features.
With this new Concept, the Grand Wagoneer nameplate features – for the first time – a third row of seats.
The Grand Wagoneer Concept will feature a wide array of premium technology – including an electrified powertrain, 4×4 off-road systems, and a first-ever passenger screen in an SUV.
Production versions of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are slated to arrive in showrooms next year. They will be reborn in America – in Warren, Mich., near downtown Detroit. As a nod to its manufacturing home and the Brand’s headquarters, the Concept’s full-pane glass roof houses a map showcasing Detroit and the surrounding area.
e Among the technical highlights will be three available 4×4 systems and the Quadra-Lift air suspension, premium driving dynamics with an independent front and rear suspension.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cMsjXgjgmc
Exterior Design
The exterior design features a prominent Obsidian Black-accented grille with the Jeep brand’s iconic seven slots. Each slot features intricate lightweight latticework, while the space above and between each of the seven slots is lit to create a signature LED design. This LED pattern forms an elegant outline to the grille, helping to emphasize the width and overall front fascia of the vehicle.
Directly above the grille sits raised illuminated letters spelling out the word Wagoneer. The design team created a custom-made font for all of the Concept’s exterior lettering.
The grille contrasts with the Arctic Ice exterior paint.
On either side of the grille sits twin bi-functional LED projector headlamps that are cradled by teak wood. Premium design meets capability in the form of an Obsidian black aluminum front skid plate and accented front tow hooks.
The Grand Wagoneer Concept SUV sits on 24-inch multi-spoke Obsidian-finished aluminum wheels featuring 3D-printed elements that reside just below the vehicle’s iconic trapezoidal wheel arches. A three-piece wheel cap features the Wagoneer logo suspended in acrylic.
Raised aluminum letters with copper-side accents spell out “Grand Wagoneer” on the lower third of each front door. An American flag flanks the aluminum letters and pays tribute to the Brand’s home country.
LED taillamps wrap from the rear quarter panel to the back of the vehicle and create a solid form, which allows the vehicle to achieve a more upscale appearance and complements the overall exterior design statement. A subtle rear diffuser sits below the power tailgate and aids in the vehicle’s aerodynamics by guiding air for maximum efficiency.
A full suite of exterior LED lights — including premium LED headlamps, fog lamps and taillamps — enable the Grand Wagoneer Concept to shine in any environment.
“The original Grand Wagoneer was the first premium SUV, and its timeless design combined with the soul of Americana helped it achieve an iconic place in many hearts,” said Ralph Gilles, Head of Design – FCA.
“The Grand Wagoneer Concept is inspired by the original, but with a modern interpretation of luxury and freedom. We strived to create an elegant design with a timeless silhouette, featuring countless beautifully crafted details that come together to give it an undeniable presence.
Interior Design
The interior offers space for up to seven passengers thanks to its front- and second-row captain’s chairs as well as its third row – a first for the Grand Wagoneer nameplate.
The interior design aimes at conveying a relaxed atmosphere thanks to the use of customizable ambient lighting, both in color and intensity.
The spaciousness of the premium interior is enhanced by large glass windows that offer greenhouse-like views.
“The Grand Wagoneer Concept’s interior is spacious and features premium materials that accentuate our team’s obsession to detail and celebrates American craftsmanship,” Gilles explains.
“A full digital cockpit takes advantage of leading technologies that are beautifully presented with expansive and easy-to-use screens and limited buttons, allowing the focus to be placed on a pleasant and intuitive experience for the driver and passengers.”
Many of the interior elements pay tribute to the rich history of the Grand Wagoneer, such as the two-spoke steering wheel.
Opening the front driver-side door reveals the outer edge of the instrument panel that features an inscription — EST. 1963 — that pays homage to the first model year of the original Wagoneer.
The onyx glass mid-bolster runs the length of the instrument panel and gracefully accents the spaciousness of the interior.
The onyx glass mid-bolster appears to float above a structural wing crafted from sustainable raw aluminum, which was also chosen as the key material for creating the door speakers, shift knob and vent surroundings.
This structural aluminum wing cradles a 3D inlay of heat-treated lacewood across the instrument panel and the front doors. Emerging from under the structural aluminum wing is the center console, which flows out of the lower panel and adds a fluid design element to the spacious cabin.
The 3D wood inlay has a sculptural quality to it and reveals an elegant exposed edge on the instrument panel, doors and center console. “Grand Wagoneer” is inscribed in raw aluminum directly into the heat-treated lacewood on the passenger side of the instrument panel.
While the original Grand Wagoneer famously featured an extensive use of wood on its exterior, the Grand Wagoneer Concept houses a vast amount of genuine heat-treated lacewood along its interior. This is one of the many examples of how the design team was able to retell a new chapter of the original Grand Wagoneer story in a modern way.
Additional sustainable interior appointments include a full suede headliner made of Dinamica — a fully recyclable premium microfiber suede — as well as premium carpets made from Thrive fiber, which is comprised of recycled content using pre- and post-consumer materials. PUR, a sustainable synthetic material, was chosen to upholster all of the seating, console, door and instrument panel surfaces in the Grand Wagoneer Concept.
Nearly 45 inches of total screen span the length of the instrument panel: a 12.3-inch driver information display behind the steering wheel, a 12.1-inch horizontal touchscreen serves as the main display screen in the center console, with a 10.25-inch horizontal comfort display touchscreen below, separated by the structural aluminum wing. Additionally, a 10.25-inch passenger screen provides the front passenger with dynamic touchscreen control at their fingertips.
Second-row passengers have 30 inches of total screen space at their disposal with a 10.25-inch comfort display screen housed on the center console located between the two captain’s chairs. Each second-row passenger also has access to their own 10.1-inch entertainment touchscreen.
The technology-rich interior is powered by FCA’s all-new Uconnect 5 system, which delivers operating speeds that are five times faster when compared to the previous generation. Uconnect 5 is more connected, helpful, content rich and adds greater personalization, making it the most advanced Uconnect system ever. Additionally, Uconnect 5’s Android operating system lays a foundation, bringing access to a broad catalog of applications to answer the rapidly developing demand for an improved user experience (UX).
The Grand Wagoneer Concept is the only vehicle audio system in the world powered by McIntosh – another classic American luxury brand known for offering distinguished home audio systems that deliver the ultimate experience in music and film. The Grand Wagoneer Concept’s McIntosh audio system features 23 custom-designed speakers connected to a 24-channel amplifier that provides an immersive audio experience. The audio elements are designed in aluminum and gloss black, true to the design aesthetic of McIntosh’s high-end home audio systems.
Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer history
Born in 1962 for the 1963 model year, the original Jeep Wagoneer was the first four-wheel-drive vehicle mated to an automatic transmission, pioneering the first modern SUV. It was the first SUV that matched four-wheel-drive capability with state-of-the-art ride quality, a stylish appearance and premium interior. An independent front suspension was optional. Quadra-Trac®, the first automatic full-time four-wheel-drive system, was introduced in 1973.
The Grand Wagoneer debuted in 1984 and marked the beginning of the premium SUV, giving buyers an unheard of combination of standard features such as leather upholstery, air conditioning, AM/FM/CB stereo radios, added sound insulation, and wood-grain exterior trim. Considered “the gold standard of the SUV market,” Grand Wagoneer also featured a 360 c.i.d. V-8 with increased horsepower and torque and the segment’s highest towing rating.
(Source: Jeep)